Identification of Sheep and Goats in Victoria

Note Number: AG1301
Published: October 2007
Updated: August 2009

 

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats assists with the tracing of sheep and farmed goats for food safety, disease control and market access purposes.

Tagging Requirements

Under Victorian NLIS (Sheep & Goat) legislation, as of 1 January 2009, all sheep and farmed goats must be identified with an approved NLIS (Sheep) tag prior to dispatch to a saleyard, abattoir, or another property with a different Property Identification Code (PIC). NLIS (Sheep) tags must be stamped with the PIC of the property on which they are to be used and the NLIS logo.

Sheep and goat producers are also required to:

• Ensure their properties have a Property Identification Code (PIC). To obtain an application for a PIC, visit a Department of Primary Industries (DPI) office or call DPI’s Helpline on 1800 678 779.
• Provide a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) when dispatching sheep or farmed goats of any age to a saleyard or abattoir, or to another property with a different PIC. To obtain NVDs contact Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) on 1800 683 111.

When selling previously purchased sheep or goats that were already NLIS identified, producers have the following options;

• record on the NVD all the PICs on the already NLIS tagged animals, or
• attach a pink NLIS (Sheep) Post-breeder tag (with their own PIC printed on it) to each animal.

If producers have purchased sheep from a number of different properties the latter option may be more practical.

In Victoria, tagging exemptions were in place for sheep and goats born prior to 1 January 2006, and to lambs and kids consigned from property of birth directly to an abattoir on an ‘over-the-hooks’ basis. Through consultation with the sheep and goat industries, and the State and Commonwealth governments, these exemptions have been removed as of 1 January, 2009. It is now a requirement that all sheep and goats must be NLIS identified before dispatch to a saleyard, abattoir, or property with a different PIC.

Dairy goat breeds, and feral goats consigned direct to an abattoir continue to have an exemption from tagging until suitable NLIS accredited tags become available. Consignors of dairy goats being dispatched to other properties or to saleyards will still need to provide the receiver with a NVD or equivalent .

Types of NLIS Sheep Tags

There are two types of visual NLIS (Sheep) tags approved for the permanent identification of sheep and farmed goats:

 

NLIS sheep breeder tags –

These tags are colour coded for year of birth. This type of tag can only be used to identify sheep and goats that are still on their property of birth. The colour for year of birth is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

NLIS sheep Post-breeder Tags –

These tags are always pink and are used to identify sheep and goats no longer on the property on which they were born or introduced animals that have lost their original NLIS Sheep Breeder Tag. They can also be used on sheep that are born on the property.

NLIS (Sheep) tags can be attached to either the right or left ear, although trials indicate that fewer tags are lost at shearing when placed in the left ear.

Producers may also add other information such as serial numbers or property names to the tag depending on their size and style.

Victorian producers now have the opportunity to purchase electronic tags for use as part of the NLIS (Sheep & Goats) through DPI. The use of electronic sheep tags is voluntary. For further information about electronic NLIS sheep tags, please refer to the DPI publication “Your Guide to the use of Electronic Tags as part of the NLIS (Sheep & Goats)”.

Identification of sheep vaccinated against OJD

When producers vaccinate sheep against ovine Johne’s disease (OJD), they must be identified with a NLIS (Sheep) tag. A capital ‘V’ in a circle must be printed on the opposite side of the tag to the PIC. Additional information such as serial numbers, stud name or property name may also be printed on this side of the tag.

Identification of terminal lambs from OJD affected flocks

Store terminal (crossbred) lambs from OJD affected flocks can be sold for finishing on another property, provided they have an ABC score of at least one or they are identified with a NLIS (Sheep) tag with a capital ‘T’ in a circle on the opposite side of the NLIS (Sheep) tag to the PIC. These lambs must also be sold with an accompanying Sheep Health Statement (SHS).

‘T’ tag lambs are suitable for finishing but should be sold for slaughter prior to cutting their first two permanent incisor teeth. If they are slaughtered prior to reaching this age they are considered to be low risk of spreading OJD onto the property .

Ordering NLIS sheep tags

To obtain visual NLIS (Sheep) tags, producers should contact their local rural merchandise outlet. There are currently several companies who have been approved to manufacture NLIS (Sheep & Goat) tags. These tags cannot be ordered through DPI. To order electronic NLIS (Sheep) tags please visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/nlis and follow the links to order them online.

Further information

Further information about sheep identification can be obtained from animal health staff at your nearest DPI office, by calling the DPI’s toll-free helpline on 1800 678 779 or on the DPI web site: www.dpi.vic.gov.au

DPIs NLIS Extension Team

Chris Cordiner: PH - (03) 5430 4560 Chris.cordiner@dpi.vic.gov.au

Gary McLarty: PH - (03) 5735 4344 Gary.mclarty@dpi.vic.gov.au

Kate McCue: PH - (03) 5561 9902 Kate.mccue@dpi.vic.gov.au

Erica Schelfhorst: PH – (03) 5430 4560 Erica.schelfhorst@dpi.vic.gov.au

Acknowledgments

This Agnote was developed by Leanne Mulraney, April 2008.

It was reviewed by Leane Mulraney, Biosecurity Victoria - Animal Standards Branch, August 2009.